When to Plant Pansies in Birmingham, Alabama

If there's one flower that signals fall has arrived at Birmingham garden centers, it's the pansy.

Pansies bring color to our landscapes when most summer annuals are beginning to fade, and one of the best things about gardening in Alabama is that we can enjoy them for months instead of weeks.

But timing matters.

Plant too early and Birmingham's lingering fall heat can stress them. Wait too long and you miss out on weeks of beautiful fall color.

At Andy’s Garden Center, we generally recommend planting pansies once temperatures begin cooling consistently in the fall.

Here's what Birmingham gardeners need to know.

When Should You Plant Pansies in Birmingham?

For Birmingham and Central Alabama, October through November is generally the best time to plant pansies.

Rather than choosing a date on the calendar, though, we like to pay attention to the weather.

Pansies are cool-season plants. They aren't particularly happy when they're planted while daytime temperatures are still regularly climbing into the upper 80s and 90s.

Ideally, wait until:

• Daytime temperatures are consistently cooling
• Nights are regularly in the 50s and 60s
• The soil has begun cooling from summer
• Extreme late-summer heat is mostly behind us

Some years that happens earlier in October.

Other years, Alabama decides summer isn't finished yet.

That's why watching the weather is more useful than watching the calendar.

Can You Plant Pansies in September?

You can sometimes find pansies available in September, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best time to put them in the ground.

September in Birmingham can still feel a lot like summer.

If temperatures are regularly reaching the upper 80s or 90s, we'd usually rather wait.

Pansies planted during excessive heat can stretch, struggle, develop disease problems, and simply never establish as well as plants installed once cooler weather arrives.

If you absolutely can't wait for fall color, keep an eye on the forecast and be prepared to give newly planted pansies extra attention during warm weather.

Is October the Best Month for Pansies?

October is often our favorite month to start planting pansies in Birmingham.

By then, nights are typically becoming cooler and we're beginning to get relief from the worst summer heat.

Planting during October also gives pansies time to establish their roots before genuinely cold winter weather arrives.

That strong fall establishment can make a big difference in how they perform through winter and into spring.

Is November Too Late to Plant Pansies?

Not at all.

November is still an excellent time to plant pansies in Birmingham.

In fact, during an unusually warm fall, November may provide better planting conditions than early October.

Pansies are remarkably cold tolerant once established, so cooler November temperatures generally aren't a problem.

The main disadvantage to waiting is simply that you miss some of your fall color.

Can You Plant Pansies in Winter?

Yes.

Because Birmingham winters are relatively mild, pansies can still be planted during winter when conditions allow.

However, we prefer to get them established during fall whenever possible.

Plants with an established root system are generally better prepared to handle periods of freezing weather.

If you're planting during winter, choose a mild stretch of weather and make sure the plants are watered appropriately after planting.

Will Pansies Survive a Birmingham Winter?

Usually, yes—and that's one of the reasons we love them.

Pansies are remarkably cold hardy.

During particularly cold weather, the foliage and flowers may wilt, freeze, or look pretty rough.

Don't immediately assume they're dead.

Once temperatures rise again, established pansies will often perk right back up and continue growing.

Flowers may be damaged during a hard freeze, but the plant itself can survive much colder temperatures.

What Happens During a Hard Freeze?

When a hard freeze is forecast, your pansies may temporarily look terrible.

That's normal.

The plants contain natural compounds that help them tolerate freezing temperatures, and established pansies can survive conditions that would completely kill most warm-season annuals.

If you're expecting an unusually severe cold event, a frost cloth can provide additional protection.

Avoid using heavy plastic directly against the plants.

And don't be surprised if you have to remove a few damaged flowers afterward. New blooms should follow when temperatures improve.

How Much Sun Do Pansies Need?

Pansies perform best with plenty of sunlight during Birmingham's cooler months.

Full sun to partial sun is generally ideal.

Remember that the winter sun is much less intense than our summer sun.

An area that would be brutally hot in July may be an excellent location for pansies from November through March.

More sunlight usually means stronger plants and better flowering.

What Kind of Soil Do Pansies Need?

Pansies like rich, well-drained soil.

And that last part is especially important in Alabama.

Our heavy clay soils can hold a tremendous amount of water during wet winter weather.

Pansies don't want their roots sitting in soggy soil for extended periods.

Before planting, loosen the bed and incorporate quality organic matter where appropriate. In particularly difficult clay areas, slightly raised beds can help improve drainage.

For more information, check out our guide to Best Plants for Alabama Clay Soil.

How Far Apart Should You Plant Pansies?

It's tempting to plant pansies far apart because they'll grow larger over time.

But if you want that full, colorful Birmingham winter display, you'll generally want them planted close enough that they eventually grow together.

Spacing will depend somewhat on the variety and the size of the plants you're purchasing.

Remember that pansies will continue filling out as they establish.

For a more immediate display, plant closer together.

For larger installations where you're willing to wait for them to fill in, you can give them a little more room.

Should You Fertilize Pansies?

Pansies are actively growing and flowering for a long season, so proper nutrition can make a noticeable difference.

Preparing the soil before planting and using an appropriate fertilizer can help encourage strong roots and plenty of flowers.

The important thing is not to assume that more fertilizer is always better.

Follow label directions, and remember that soil conditions vary from one Birmingham yard to another.

A soil test is the best way to know exactly what your soil needs.

Should You Deadhead Pansies?

Removing spent flowers can help keep pansies looking their best and encourage continued blooming.

You don't have to inspect every plant every morning, but periodically removing faded flowers and damaged growth can make a big difference in appearance.

This becomes especially helpful after freezing weather when some blooms may be damaged.

Why Do My Pansies Look Bad in January?

Don't panic.

Pansies often go through periods during winter when they don't look nearly as impressive as they did in November.

Cold temperatures slow growth considerably.

A hard freeze may damage flowers.

Several cloudy, wet weeks can also leave plants looking tired.

As temperatures begin warming toward the end of winter, healthy pansies often put on another tremendous flush of growth and flowers.

Some of the prettiest pansy displays we see happen in late winter and early spring.

How Long Will Pansies Last in Birmingham?

When planted in fall, pansies can potentially provide color from fall through winter and well into spring.

Eventually, however, Alabama heat wins.

As late spring temperatures begin climbing, pansies usually start stretching, flowering less, and declining.

That's your signal that it's almost time to replace them with warm-season annuals.

Exactly when this happens varies from year to year.

Some springs stay cool for a long time.

Others seem to go from winter to summer in about three days.

Pansies vs. Violas: What's the Difference?

Pansies and violas are closely related, but there are a few differences gardeners may notice.

Pansies generally have larger flowers, giving you a bigger individual burst of color.

Violas usually have smaller flowers but produce a lot of them and can be extremely tough through winter.

Both are excellent choices for Birmingham.

If you want big, showy flowers, you may prefer pansies.

If you want masses of smaller blooms and excellent cold-weather performance, give violas a look.

Or do what we often like best—plant both.

Don't Wait Until Spring to Think About Winter Color

One of the great things about gardening in Birmingham is that our landscapes don't have to become completely empty during winter.

Pansies can give you months of color when very few other annuals are blooming.

The key is getting them planted at the right time and giving them a chance to establish before winter.

For most years in Birmingham, that means thinking about pansies in October and November—not September when it still feels like July.

Need Help With Your Fall Pansies?

If you're not sure whether it's time to plant yet, come see us.

At Andy’s Garden Center in Vestavia Hills, we keep a close eye on Birmingham's fall weather because we want your pansies to look good long after they leave the garden center.

We can help you choose colors and varieties, figure out how many plants you need for your beds or containers, and make sure you have what you need to get them established.

Because when Alabama finally decides summer is over, it's pansy season.

Andy’s Garden Center
3351 Morgan Drive
Vestavia Hills, AL 35216

Serving gardeners throughout Vestavia Hills, Birmingham, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Hoover, and surrounding Central Alabama communities.